Sovereign

“Convoy Gold-A and its twelve merchant ships carrying major industrial toolings and equipment from the Free Confederation was sunk near the Central Oppelian Grand Canal by a Federal Republic submarine wolf pack. The major sinking has been noted as ‘disastrous’ by the Ministry of Economy. Economy Minister Anne Wittfield has now levied multiple statements against the Navy’s ‘incompetence’ at handling the Federal Republic’s constant commerce raiding activities. The Admiralty has yet to issue a response, merely calling for ‘organizational investigations’ regarding the incident.”

- Arcane Updates

+++

West Orland

County of Wittfield

City of Eutstadt

January 1, 2025

“Cheers?”

“To a better Orland! Cheers!”

Amelie took the first drink of the night, even when it was a tiny sip, just as much of the Orlish Government present today in the November Palace took theirs. Quite frankly, it was mostly empty today, as many spent the day instead with their respective families. Even Prime Minister Jacqueline Heiss was gone, as she was away with her own family.

“Ah, well…now that’s a good one.” Minister Jan Sobiesky of the Ministry of Infrastructure said as he downed his shot of champagne, turning a bit to Minister Alfred Hegel of the Ministry of Energy. The two barged in with the Deputy Prime Minister into the November Palace in a bit of a surprising fashion for Amelie, but she accepted the guests graciously.

And, they’re a part of the Heiss Government. Amelie smiled at all of them. It would be strange if I kicked them off for being unknown to me. Amelie never really had a chance to meet the male members of the Heiss Government after all. In fact, she had only ever met the Minister of Health and Social Services Allison Thell, and the Minister of Economy Anne Wittfield, because the June Coup prevented them from even properly convening as one in the Grand Duchy before they were evacuated to Eutstadt.

She felt Nia leaning into her. “Really unfortunate that the year ended this way.”

“Hah, loosen up, Nia. At the very least, we’re fixing everything up.”

“Yeah, I guess. They do seem quite lively, don’t you think.”

“Well, it is the end of the year after all.” Amelie watched as William and Albert butted heads again on the corner of the room, arguing about which branch of the Armed Forces was superior in hushed tones as they took turns with their drinks. The Navy or the Army. Amelie placed her hand on her mouth and giggled a bit at their childishness. “I guess it’s time for celebrations regardless.”

“Ah, well. I guess.” Nia herself shied away from the alcohol, preferring to hold simple juice in her own glass. The two of them took a sip in an almost synchronous manner, and Amelie felt the light kick of the alcohol. “Did they sugar in this?”

“Well, perhaps they did.”

“That’s such a bummer…” Nia said. “I wanted real juice.”

Amelie laughed, before looking at where Alice was sitting. Already, Marta was tending to her, as the Princess of Orland fell asleep right at the dinner table, all alone after splurging on her cake. It seemed that her little sister merely held out until the moment that the clock struck 12:00 AM. She didn’t even wait for it in reality, as she had already been eating minutes before the clock struck midnight.

“Ah, well…seems that Alice is out,” Amelie said, just as Marta nodded.

“I’m taking her to her bedroom soon, Your Majesty.”

“Go on. She seemed tired hours ago anyway.” Amelie gave Alice’s head a light pat, just as Nia spoke up.

“She’s a fast sleeper, isn’t she?”

“It’s what happens when you’re sleep-deprived.” Amelie gave her a final pat. “She was practicing her magic hard yesterday. To ‘help protect the Kingdom’, she said.”

“Don’t you think Alice is pushing herself a bit too far?” Nia sighed. “Oh, you Ludendorf sisters. You both have no idea of self-care, do you?”

“Shush. We’re not like that.”

“Oh, yes. Coming from the Queen who overworks herself like a common employee.”

Amelie didn’t mind the comment. “I prefer that. To be a leader is to serve the nation, is it not?” Amelie closed her eyes a bit, feeling some warmth and wetness in her own eyes. Even now, she badly needed sleep as well. “It’s the only way. I won’t rest until the Kingdom is in one peace. Safe…and secure.”

Just like my family. Amelie looked around, especially at William, Nia, Allison, and Walter. And friends.

“Well, I’m sure we can kick those rebels out of Orland.” Nia took another sip from her glass. “Hah…I’m sure of it. There’s no way we can lose. The only path forward is victory, especially with you as Queen.”

“It won’t be easy though.” Much of those present today weren’t exactly women, Amelie noted. Perhaps it was simply because her female Ministers had their own families. The four men present today, however, didn’t. William, Walter, Jan, and Alfred were all a part of the Dead Generation, after all. All four of them hailed from the trenches of the Great War. All of them were coldly distant as well from their families and without even the chance to start one.

The political participation of the Dead Generation definitely was one of their defining traits, Amelie noted. They may be dead men killed long before they returned home, but they were here in the highest echelons of the Orlish Government, down to the lowest common soldier or factory worker.

It was almost as if they simply refused to give up. Stubbornly.

And now, perhaps they were here to discuss the interests of the Dead Generation with Amelie once more. Even right now, on the first day of the New Year. But, maybe that was what the Deputy Prime Minister wanted from Amelie. Walter himself was silently eating his steak on the table, minding no one in the room. Almost cold. He wants to highlight it immediately for me. The Queen.

Hah, I really do wonder what his deal is. Amelie thought to herself. Minister Jan and Minister Alfred seem chill. But he’s not.

The ORP did have quite a disagreement with the UOP after all, and the rest of the Orlish Parliament. Perhaps that was why, Amelie thought. She already even planned to address the disagreements between the two parties. She would not let the current Heiss Government and its coalition collapse because of a disagreement between Walter’s ORP and Jacqueline’s UOP. That would simply be an unacceptable situation at the moment.

And even after that. If Orland were to survive this year, and the years after that, and the end of war alongside the inevitable recovery period, the unity between the UOP-ORP coalition would have to remain in place. Until every change and reform passed. Until the economy’s health was restored. Until women and men finally learned to tolerate and cooperate with each other.

“Well, I don’t think he’s really that pissed,” Nia said, noticing Amelie looking at Walter. “Perhaps, he just really wanted a talk today.”

“I don’t really mind the disruption to my sleep schedule, Nia.”

“Neither do I.” She looked up at Amelie. “I’ll be with you to record what happens. Rest assured, if he acts out of the line—”

“You said he won’t.”

“I’m just saying.”

“Well…” Amelie sighed. “I’m not really worried about that either. I’m more worried about how I’m going to address the problems he’ll bring up.”

He stabbed a piece of steak with his fork.

“And remember, Nia. He’s our ally.” Amelie turned to Nia, giving her a serious look. “You’d do well to remember that. I don’t want you to make him feel unwelcome. Is that clear?”

“As you wish, Amelie.”

+++

“One wonders what even is the point of these celebrations.” Walter Plock said as he stared at the distant fireworks that still continued to blanket the city through the window. Amelie and Nia were still cleaning up the papers in the desks, while both Minister Sobieski and Minister Hegel sat silently on the guest sofa. “It’s a bitter irony, is it not?”

“Well, Deputy Prime Minister, I believe otherwise,” Amelie said as she finished cleaning up her table, and finally sitting in her seat. “To raise the human spirit by keeping up these human social activities is a necessity, even in times of war, especially if we can, is beneficial.”

She motioned for him to take his seat in front of her table. “Please, take it, Mr. Deputy Prime Minister.” She looked at the other two, who stood up as well. “Go on too, Minister Sobieski and Minister Hegel. I believe I haven’t really met the both of you much just yet?”

“Indeed, Your Majesty.” Minister Sobieski said.

“But we both understand.” Minister Hegel added. “The Kingdom’s war requires more of your attention, after all.”

“Still does not mean I shall ignore Orland’s civilian government. Please, have a seat.” And they took it after the Deputy Prime Minister was seated. Nia, on the other hand, stood beside Amelie, holding a clipboard with every relevant note and document ready. “Now, gentlemen. May I hear the matters that you…desire, to present today?”

“Cutting to the chase. Sure.” Walter started. “The issue of conscription, Your Majesty. It is a joke. A farce. What happened to the UOP-ORP coalition? What happened to the reforms and equality?”

“He’s right.” Minister Sobieski added. “We men are breaking our bones both in the homefront and the frontlines. This isn’t the Great War, Your Majesty. Your fellow women have to take the slack and do your job. We need more souls maintaining the railways and roads for one. They’re bombing it day and night. We could use some magic.”

“We need it as well for our refineries, mines, and the like.” Minister Hegel added. “We need bodies to keep the production of energy and raw materials flowing for the industries we’re building and relocating in West Orland. Foreign imports won’t keep the entire house of cards flowing. The war took away the men toiling in the refineries, plants, mines, farms, and even factories.”

“And more importantly, we need more damned bodies in the frontlines, Your Majesty.” Walter ended. “You know that. I know that. Everyone knows that. My generation of men has already been cut in size. Soon, you’d be conscripting even the older men who are running our industries even when they’re stretched thin. And then what? We lose?”

Amelie looked at Nia, who sighed. She turned back to the trio. “I understand your grievances.”

“This is not merely grievances, Your Majesty. These are national security issues. If women won’t pick up that dirty work as well…then you would have made your own bed should the rebels win. Because I assure you, victory isn’t assured, no matter what delusions you have all crafted in your minds.”

“And again, I understand that. And I agree with all of you. And Deputy Prime Minister, I know that you also know that the Prime Minister shares the same opinion, as do I.”

“But none of that matters until it is translated into action. The Parliament floored the ORP's proposal to expand the conscription to young women.”

“Indeed!” Minister Sobieski seemed outraged, and Amelie could almost hear his subtle Pozneki accent as he spoke. “My fellow party members were made fool of. ORP MPs had to argue with their own fellow coalition members. And when the vote came, only a few handfuls from the UOP supported us. We were humiliated, Your Majesty. Humiliated. Again.”

“Your outrage isn’t misplaced, Minister Sobieski. And I’m glad that the three of you came forward to present this critical policy issue.” Amelie said. “In fact, I am trying to formulate a plan to get this bill passed, because as you have all said, not only is it unequal, it is a detriment to Orland’s war efforts.”

Nia spoke her part. “In addition, Her Majesty is also in talks with the Prime Minister and other female members of the cabinet. Rest assured, we, and Her Majesty will find a way to address this.”

“I’ll make sure of it,” Amelie said. “So, please, just give me and the Prime Minister time. We need the support of men and the ORP in this.”

“We reaffirm our continued commitment to cooperation,” Walter said. “But, for heaven’s grace…please, we’re dying of thirst from the lack of reciprocal support.”

“I apologize for that. But, again, please. Just give us more time. We’ll do everything we can to settle this deadlock.”